plates - A section of the lithosphere that slowly moves over the athenosphere, carrying pieces of continental and oceanic crust. scientific theory - A well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations. plate tectonics - The theory that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in a constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle. faults - A break in Earth's crust where slabs of rock slip past each other. transform boundary - A plate boundary where two plates move/slip past each other in opposite directions. divergent boundary - A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other. convergent boundary - A plate boundary where two plates move towards each other. rift valley - A deep valley that forms where two plates move apart.( A divergent boundary)
Outline
The theory of plate motion
Plate tectonics is the geological theory that states that that pieces of Earth's lithosphere on in a constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
plate can't budge without affecting the other plates surrounding it.
As the plates move, they collide , move, pull apart, or grind past each other, producing changes in Earth's surface.
These changes include:volcanos, mountain ranges, and deep-sea trenches.
Plate boundaries
There are three kinds of plate boundaries.
Transform boundary
A transforrm boundary is where two plates move past each other in opposite directions.
Earthquakes frequently occur along these boundaries.
Divergent boundary
A divergent boundary is where two plates move away from each other.
Divergent boundaries occur both in the water and on the land.
Convergent boundary
A convergent boundary is where two plates move towards each other.
There are 3 kinds of convergent boundaries
When continental crust and continental crust collides.
Big mountain ranges form.
When continental crust and oceanic crust collides.
The oceanic crust sinks
When oceanic crust and oceanic crust collides.
The plate that is denser sinks
The continents' slow dance
Plates move at slow rates.
From 1 to 10 cm. per year.
The North American plate and the Eukraisan plates are floating apart at a rate of 2.5 cm. per year.
Table of Contents
The Theory of Plate Tectonics
Vocabulary
plates - A section of the lithosphere that slowly moves over the athenosphere, carrying pieces of continental and oceanic crust.
scientific theory - A well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations.
plate tectonics - The theory that pieces of Earth's lithosphere are in a constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
faults - A break in Earth's crust where slabs of rock slip past each other.
transform boundary - A plate boundary where two plates move/slip past each other in opposite directions.
divergent boundary - A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other.
convergent boundary - A plate boundary where two plates move towards each other.
rift valley - A deep valley that forms where two plates move apart.( A divergent boundary)
Outline
The theory of plate motion
Plate boundaries
The continents' slow dance
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